Window construction



Filed June 25, 1957 Feb. 17, 1959' R. M. ADAMSON 2,873,827

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-1 IN V EN TOR ROBERT M. ADAMSON BY WWW-@W ATTOR N EYS Feb. 17, 1959 R. M. ADAMSON wmnow CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1957 6 5 "w I I 5 Z a 5 P, B m .d igum l a. 9 U m m N w M m r A w 4. a" n v w E J g u/ INVENTOR.

ROBERT M. ADAMSON BY wpzwhfla ATTORNEYS United States Patent of Ohio, Co., Inc., Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 25, 1957, Serial No. 667,784 4 Claims. 01. 189-62 This. invention relates to a window construction and, more particularly, to a self-trimming, openable window frame construction for insertion into a window opening in the wall of a house trailer or the like.

' In constructing a building, house trailer, and the like, it may be desired to have a preformed window frame structure for simple insertion in a window opening in the wall of the building or trailer. Particularly with trailers where the question of weight may be important, suclrwindow structure may conveniently be made of aluminum or other light metal. If it is attempted, however, to make a completely prefabricated window structure for insertion in a window opening in an otherwise completed wall, some means are required for trimming or finishing around, the inserted unit for aesthetic or weatherproofing reasons, it is necessary to manufacture a different unit for each different wall thickness and window size to be encountered. In addition, when such a unit includes metal frame parts which extend in metal to metal contact-fromthe outside wall to the inside wall, substantial problems of Condensation along the inside wall are likely to occur, especially in the relatively tightly closed trailer structures for housekeeping purposes. According to the invention, however, a preformed metal window construction is provided whereby separate interfitting frame members are readily attached to a window opening to the outside thereof to form a selftrimming and weather-tight frame, and a separate interior screen or storm member is provided to trim around the interior of the window opening. Furthermore, in the construction according to this invention, the preformed interfitting members are substantially independent within wide limits of desired variations in wall thickness and window size, and means are also provided for the simple installationof an operating handle for opening and closing the window on the interior of the wall separately from and not withstanding the interior trim around the window opening. V It is one object ofthis, invention: to provide a window frame construction of the character described for application to a window opening in a wall which is made up of preformed interfitting metal. members to beapplied to the wall at,the outside thereof forming a self-trimming and weather-tight frame, andseparate preformed interior trim for the window opening is mountedjonthe inside wall with the wall structure insulating the interior and exterior parts ofthewindow against metal to metal contact and the resulting tendency for condensation within the window in cold weather.

Another object of this invention'is toprovide an operable preformed window construction of the character described adapted to be applied to the outside of a window opening in a wall and including means for opening and closing the window, which means are operated from inside the wall by preformed mechanism on the inside wall and'adjacent the window opening but independently from the interior trirn therearound.

A further object of this invention is to provide a meth- Hce od for simple installation of a window construction of the character described in a window opening in a finished wall by means of interfitting preformed metal members which form inside and out-side the wall a self-trimming window frame structure which is substantially independent within wide limits of the wall thickness.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a window construction of the character described having jalousie panes therein openable from inside the wall in which the window is installed by means mounted on the wall independently of the window frame construction and its inside trim.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a self-trimming openable metal window frame construction of the character described for an insertion into a window opening in walls of various thickness and including a screen or storm window inside member and inner trimming' and means for mounting an operating handle for opening the window from inside the wall and independently of the inner screen and storm window member and said inside trim.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings- 7 Fig. 1 illustrates a window construction embodying the invention and applied to a window opening in a wall, viewed from the outside of the wall;

Fig. 2 illustrates a window construction embodying the invention viewed from the inside of the wall to which itis applied;

Fig. 3' is a horizontal sectional view of a window construction embodying this invention and taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views partly in vertical section of a window construction embodying this invention at different stages of its complete assembly and taken along the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig.1, respectively;

Fig. 6 is a partial detail view in vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a partial section taken along the'line 7--7 of Fig. 1; andv 7 Fig. 8 is an enlarged'fragment of Fig. 4. v

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views thereof, a window construction embodying the invention is illustrated in Fig. l, as viewed from the outside of the building, or trailer in which installed, ascomprising a bottom sill member indicated at 10, two vertical side members indicated at 11 and 12, and a top frame member or header indicated at 13 all mounted on the outside surface ofa wall 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the window is shown as having, glass jalousies 20-supported in end brackets 21 carried by side members 11' and 12 in a manner to be hereinafter explained in more detail.

.Viewed from inside, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the con: struction shows a screen member 30 (which, in winter time, for example, may be replaced by a storm wind-ow in known manner) having a frame 31 and being releasably afiixed by brackets 32' to the inside finishing layer 33 of the building or trailer ,wall so that the frame 31- will mask or trim the inside edgesof the window opening in wall layer 33. An operating handle 40 is also provided which, by means of enclosed operating mechanism 41 mounted as by screws 42 on the inside wall 33, opens and closes jalousies 20. It will be noted that theoperating' mechanism 42 is mounted adjacent but separately from screen member 30 and neither penetratesscreenmember 30 nor requires the removal of the screen-for operation of the window.

Referring to Figs. 3-7- in particular, it will beseen that the construction shown is particularly adapted for use with a window opening having solid edged portions indicated at 50 and 51 for the sides and at 52 and 53 for the bottom and top, respectively. Such edge portions can be either a solid wall construction or, as will be understood, joists inserted in a hollow wall to define the window opening therein. Also, in the form illustrated, the wall 14 is shown as including an inner finishing layer 33 of plywood or similar interior finished material, and interior layer 33 projects inwardly, as indicated by the pro ections 55, beyond the vertical side edges 50, 51 of the window opening so that the inside or interior side of the window opening has a smaller horizontal dimension than the outside thereof. Particularly in a house-trailer or like structure, the outside of the wall may be finished with a covering 56 of sheet metal or the like.

In the installation of a window structure according to the invention, the Window opening is first formed in the wall, then the bottom sill member is installed. If desired, the exposed horizontal thickness of the bottom of the window opening may be covered by a thin metal interior sill 60, one edge 61 of which is inserted between the solid bottom edge 52 of the wall and interior finishing layer 13. The piece 60, preferably supported in an outwardly and downwardly sloping direction on a block 62, is then formed over the exposed thickness 52 with its outer edge 63 overlying the outer wall covering 56 all along the bottom of the window opening. The outside bottom sill 10 is formed from an extruded metal strip including a flange 65 which is shown in Fig. 8 as having ribs 66 along the inner surface thereof which are adapted to overlie the edge 63 of inner sill member 60 to provide a weather-tight seal against water leaking into the wall and/ or behind outside covering 56.

The sill member 10 also has an outer flange 67 including a longitudinal slot 68 to receive resilient packing 69 for weather proofing engagement with the bottom glass window pane 20 as indicated in Fig. 5. It will be noted, particularly from Figs. 1 and 3, that bottom sill 10 extends all along the bottom of the window opening and beyond the side edges thereof, and that flange 65 also extends continuously beneath the window and is afiixed to the solid edge portion'52 of the window opening as by screws 71 accessible from outside the wall and located between the ribs 66.

After installation of bottom sill 10, a slot 75 is formed at one side of the window opening to accommodate the window operating mechanism 4041. As indicated particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the slot 75 is formed in one of the projections 55 of interior surface 33 so that the housing for the mechanism 41 can be aflixed, as by screws 42, directly to the interior layer 33 of the wall, and yet the mechanism is suificiently oifset from the edge portion 50 to permit free operation of the linkage 76, 77, within the window opening. It will also be apparent that the mechanism 41 could be mounted on the screen frame 31, particularly for installations omitting the projection 55, but the illustrated arrangement is preferred from the standpoint of facilitating replacement of the screen by storm sash.

After installation of the operating mechanism 41 and its linkage 76 and 77 as indicated in Fig. 4, the two side window pane supporting members 11 and 12 are installed. As indicated in Fig. 5, each of these members 11 and 12, which are mirror images of each other, includes windowpane brackets or clips 21 for holding the jalousie panes 20 at the side edges thereof. Each of the clips 21 is mounted on a pivoted bell crank 80, and the bell cranks 80 are pivotally interconnected by link 81 to which is pivotally connected the linkage 76, 77 of the operating mechanism 41 so that, upon rotation of operating handle 40, operating mechanism 41, in known manner, will cause link 77 to pull downwardly on link 81 to open the jalousie panes 20 to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, as is well understood in this art.

Side members 11 and 12 each has an outwardly projecting flange 90 by means of which members 11 and 12 are aflixed, as by screws 91, to the outer surface of solid edge portions of 50 and 51 at the sides of the window opening, thereby forming, .in conjunction with the continuous flanged portion 65 on the bottom sill member 10, a continuous self-trimming and weather proof frame around three sides of the window opening on the outside surface thereof. Side members 11 and 12 are also preferably extruded from aluminum with a cross section substantially as indicated in Figs. 3 and 7 At the outer portion of side member 11 is a slot in which is afiixed felt or other suitable packing 96 for weatherproofing at the side edges of the windowpanes 20 and their supporting brackets 21.

As will be understood from the foregoing, after the operating mechanism 41 is installed, side member 11 is aflixed in place by its screws 91 and the operating link '77 connected to the link 81 in side member 11 by the simple insertion of bolt 97 after side member 11 is screwed in place. Thereafter, the panes 20 are inserted in the brackets 21 and side member 12 is aflixed into place. This operation is facilitated by the fact that neither side member 11 nor 12 has rigid frame elements to be inserted into the window opening, as well as by the fact that the window opening is wider at the outside than at the inside, because of inner projections 55 on interior finished layer 33. Thus, the side members 11 and 12 of the panes can be assembled in situ in the window opening by contrast with the situation where various frame members carry frame portions extending into the window opening so as to require accessibility from inside or having the interior window opening as large or larger than it is on the outside. Also by virtue. of this construction, the window opening edges of interior finishing layer 33 may be finished edges, as contrasted with the situation where additional trim is required to fill in between the edges of the window opening and the inside portions of frame members penetrating therethrough.

After installation of bottom sill member 10 and side members 11 and 12, and the windowpanes 20 and operating mechanism 41 associated therewith, the window is completed by installing the overhanging topheader 13. This member 13 is also preferably of extruded aluminum and has a cross section generally as indicated in Fig. 6 included an overhanging lip 100 arranged to overhang and interfit with the top portions of members 11 and 12 and having a horizontal slot 101 for accommodating a gasket or packing 102 for weatherproof engagement with the top outside portion of the top windowpane 20. Header member 13, as will be noted from Fig. 1, extends horizontally beyond the edges of the window opening to engage, interfit with, and cover side members 11 and 12 and has a continuous flange 105 by means of which header 13 is aflixed to the solid edge portion 53 at the top of the window opening, as by screw 106 accessible from outside the wall.

As will be apparent from the foregoing',-an economical window construction is provided which is simple to install and which is self-trimming with respect to the edges of the window opening. Thus, the flange members 65, 90, and 105 on the outside sill member, side members, and header provide a continuous finished trimmed frame around the window opening on the outside. Also the small rib portions 66 on the sill members 10, 107 on the header member 13, and 108 on the side members 11 and 12 provide raised engaging surfaces by means of which the outside frame members can be tightly engaged with the outside of wall 14 by tightening the various screws 71, 91 and 106 to provide an entirely weatherproof window construction with the solid edges of the window opening.

Since none of the frame'members protrude through the window opening, the interior edges of interior finishing layer 33 may be finished and need no additional applied filling or trimming, even around the operating asraszv mechanism 41 which is self trimming around its own slots 45 and, being laterally offset from the interior edge of the window opening, requires no additional trim. Also, since the frame members do not penetrate the window opening, the mechanical linkage 76-81 at the side of the window for operating the jalousie panes 20 can be substantially masked from the inside by the inward projections 55 on interior layer 33 at the sides of the window opening.

Additional finishing or interior trim, however, may he provided according to the invention by the frame 31 which holds screen or storm window member 30, and which is illustrated as being releasably affixed to the interior finishing layer 33 by clamps 32 to facilitate changing from screen to storm window as the weather or users desire may indicate. Thus not only is the entire window construction adapted for installation from the outside, but it is completely accessible from the inside for washing or adjustment or repair of the operating linkages. At the same time, the absence of metal to metal contact between inner and outer frame members, or continuous metal frame members extending from outside to the inner wall, reduces to a minimum the tendencies toward condensation on the inner wall as a result of conduction through such frame members.

As will be apparent, substantially identical preformed extrusions may be used for various sizes of windows to be installed in walls of various thickness since, for example, the construction embodying this invention requires no mitered or rabbeted joints even at the corner junctures of the frame members, and only the length of the linkage 76, 77 is affected by substantial variations in wall thickness. It will also be apparent that the frame members can be assembled and secured together before mounting in the window opening.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-trimming metallic window construction for mounting in a window opening in a structure, comprising a combination of means providing a weather-tight exterior frame including a bottom sill, side pane supporting members, and a top frame member, pane sup porting means mounted on said pane supporting members including operating parts arranged to move between open and closed positions, translucent pane members mounted in said pane supporting means for forming an outer window closure openable upon movement of said operating parts, an operator connected to said operating parts and including a handle mountable at the interior side of said window opening providing for actuation of said operating parts from the interior of the structure to open and close said outer window closure, a metallic interior frame mountable on the interior side of the window opening independently of said operator for forming a finished trim for the inside of said window opening, and means for mounting said interior frame on the interior side of said window opening in spaced relation to said exterior frame preventing metal to metal contact therebetween, said interior frame including means for mounting an interior pane across said window opening to enclose the air space between said exterior and interior frames.

2. A self-trimming window construction of the character described, comprising Wall means having an opening therethrough of predetermined rectangular dimension and of predetermined depth from the exterior to the interior side thereof, an exterior metallic frame and trim member including a bottom sill, side pane supporting members, and a top frame member secured to the exterior of said wall means in surrounding relation to said opening, said bottom sill including a portion extending partially through said opening, a plurality of pane supporting means extending transversely of said exterior frame member and each pivotally mounted thereon, a translucent pane member mounted in each of said pane supporting means for forming an outer window closure, operator means connected to move said pane supporting means in unison between open and closed positions including a handle mounted on the interior side of said wall means for operation of said outer window closure from the interior side of said wall means, an interior metallic frame and trim member mounted in surrounding relation to said opening on the interior side of said wall means and in. spaced relation to all parts of said exterior frame member preventing metal to metal contact between said frame members, and means on said interior frame member for mounting an interior translucent pane across said opening to enclose the air space between said frame members.

3. A self-trimming metallic window construction as defined in claim 2, wherein said exterior top frame member includes an overhanging lip extending the full width of said opening, sill means on said exterior top frame member cooperable with the uppermost of said pane members to provide a weather-tight seal in the closed position thereof, and seal means on said exterior bottom sill cooperable with the lowermost of said pane members to form a weather-tight seal.

4. A self-trimming metallic window construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said exterior side frame members include seal means extending vertically at opposite sides of said opening and cooperating with said pane supporting means and said pane members in the closed position thereof to form weather-tight seals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

